What is hate crime?

Hate crimes are acts of violence or hostility directed at people because of who they are or who someone thinks they are.

Hate crimes can take many different forms – for example, someone may have damaged your property because of the colour of your skin, sent you offensive letters because of what you believe, or behaved violently towards you because of who you love.

No hate crime is acceptable. We all have a right to live without fear, hostility and intimidation from others because of who we are.

Hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s characteristic or perceived characteristic including:

Disability

Race

Religion or belief

Sexual orientation

Trans and gender reassignment

Alternative sub-culture

Report hate crime

Does the hate crime put you, your family or your property in immediate danger?